SCALE MODEL NEWS

The 1959 movie Plan 9 From Outer Space is often described as the worst science-fiction movie ever made, or even the worst movie - period. However, it has gained a certain cachet of its own, witness this Skyhook Models 1:48 scale diorama base, designed to be used with the Lindberg Flying Saucer, as used in the movie. Mat Irvine makes the model: As the diorama has just two parts - base and transparent saucer support rod - it’s a paint-and-finish job, rather than an assembly issue. For all that, Skyhook has provided a decent product - sculpted by Dave Bengel - that comes complete with built-in nameplate and ghoul figure. The diorama depicts one of the scenes in the film, in which a dead policeman, Inspector Dan Clay, played by Tor Johnson, rises from the grave - as by that point in the plot, he has become a ghoul. As modelled here, the Skyhook figure look ‘a bit’ like Clay, but certainly looks ghoulish, and it’s your painting skills that will turn the plain resin moulding into a believa...

Another excellent motor racing kit from Revell, this is a neatly-executed 1:24 scale Renault Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car, as driven by World Champion driver, Sebastian Vettel. David Jefferis: This is an attractive model, shown off nicely in the red, blue, and yellow markings of energy-drink manufacturer and backer, Red Bull. The kit comes well up to Revell’s usual standards, though application of the decals will take time and patience, especially where laying them onto complex compound curves is concerned. Actually, there’s perhaps a case here for Revell to repeat the excellent finishing technique used in its easy-kits. Decals in these are pre-printed directly on to the moulded plastic for the consumer who wants a model in a hurry - and very good they look too. I’d suggest that there’s a case here for offering the basic colours in pre-finished form, perhaps with some fine-detail decals supplied to add if you wish. Or maybe I’m plain lazy - yep, definitely that, and/or time-poor with...

Part Two of our visit to Flixton's Air Museum, deep in the heart of Suffolk, UK. Above, shades of the early Airfix kit, a Bristol Bloodhound missile stands aimed at the sky, looking ready for its original task, knocking Soviet bombers out of the air. David Jefferis: Here's a wrap-up set of pix from Flixton, starting with these ace magazines from the 1960s, the science-fiction lookalike art on the Practical Mechanics cover, a typically upbeat take on yesterday's world of the future. There are scale models aplenty, and even an elderly manual typewriter on display, much like the one I started out using. Can't say I miss it though - I'll stick to a state-of-the-art MacBook Pro, thanks! On the grass outside, there's a range of hardware that will make any air buff drool. Below, top to bottom: French Dassault Mystere IVa, entrance to the Museum, Gloster Javelin interceptor, tail view of the same Mystere IVa. Gloster Javelin kit here. Dassault combat kits here.

HERE'S A LOOK at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum - aka ‘Flixton’ to locals. The place is a rare gem: it's far from the biggest air collection, but has rarities to match even the biggest museums out there. David Jefferis: Tucked behind Flixton’s useful shop is a treasure-trove of a find - behind protective glass lies a beautiful recreation of a 1950s-1960s model maker’s den, just packed with gear that represents that era. If you have a molecule of nostalgia in you, then this den will put on your rose-tinted spectacles and bring back memories of happy modelling moments. I’ll let the pictures tell the story, but the display does underline two things strongly - that modellers today are really spoiled for choice, and that what we are offered is mostly of excellent quality - the manufacturers have been trying hard over the years, and continue to do so. Enjoy the pix, and if East Anglia is in your sights for a 2014 visit, then put Flixton on your must-visit list . There are s...

Well, things are not quite as bad as that, but recent connectivity issues have meant that it's been impossible to upload pictures. So apologies from the SMN Crew - hang on in there and we'll be posting again ASAP.

The first-ever Model Market hit the public on February 2, as an experiment to see how successful such a show could be so early in the year. It was run by HaMeX, the group of model shows based in Hanslope, UK, and run by master-modelmaker Mat Irvine and supplies-meister Paul Fitzmaurice. Mat Irvine: The Model Market now takes the HaMeX score to four a year, including the one that kicked things off, the Hanslope Model eXpo, a swapmeet and model display held just before Christmas. HaMeX targets those last-minute moments to snap up a present, even if it happens to be a reward just for yourself! In May, Automodellismo roars in. It specialises in model cars, though we also feature the real things, on gleaming display in the car park. In July, Smallspace comes in to land, concentrating on space, science-fiction and fantasy. This has been the most popular show so far - a horde of full-size Daleks roaming round the car park probably help. The Model Market (TMM) was created to cater for the pos...

The VW Beetle - or Fusca as it’s known in Brazil - is by anyone’s standards an iconic vehicle. Love it or hate it, the rounded shape is instantly recognisable the world over. Even tribespeople living deep in the Amazon rainforest have probably heard of the Fusca, so perhaps it’s not too surprising that the Fusca-Beetle remains a popular choice for vehicle customisers in South America, and of course, the world over. The Fusca title is an interesting catch-all, apparently being used for many things -  bug, beetle, slug, rod, puller, buggy - you name it! Step up Danilo Andrade, a talented Brazilian designer who dreamt up this retro-style VW pickup. Mind you, it’s obviously not designed as a heavy-hauler, as the cargo bed is too small and delicate, and here at least has no sides or tailgate. The cabin looks quite cosy, even if there are only two seats, but the whole comes over as a nifty piece of exaggerated retromobilia, so that’s all right then. Or to put it another way, I can see my...